Qatar Airways is to launch the first direct service between the Scottish capital and the Middle East.

The 787 Dreamliner service between Edinburgh and Doha, first from Scotland for Boeing's new aircraft, will commence on May 28.

The service between Edinburgh and and the Qatari capital will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, accommodating 22 business class and 232 economy class passengers.

Qatar Airways said the seven hour flight will cut the need for UK transfers and significantly reduce journey times between Edinburgh and many global destinations.

The most popular destinations for those using the new route are expected to be in Asia and Australasia.

Qatar Airways said the new hub connections would reduce journey times from around 26 hours with two transfers to 20 hours with one transfer at Doha's soon to be opened Hamad International Airport.

Akbar Al Baker, chief executive of the airline, said: “We are delighted to confirm that the Boeing 787 will operate on this important new route and are sure that not only will this benefit the local market in Scotland, but also attract a significant amount of business and trade links for those wishing to travel to Edinburgh from all corners of the world.”

He added: "The start of services from Edinburgh to Doha not only offers travellers from the Scottish capital access to the Middle East in under seven hours, but also a quicker journey time to other popular destinations in Asia, India and Australasia.”

Qatar Airways said it chose Edinburgh for the new service as Glasgow already has a link to the Middle East with Emirates services to Dubai.

Al Baker said: "Glasgow is already served from our region so we don't like to follow people, we like to lead people to go to new places." Qatar Airways already flies to London and Manchester in the UK and currently serves 136 destinations around the world.